smith



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W..C. R. SMITH & J. B. MORTON.

RETURN CRATE.

Patented Au 28, 1883.

PATENT XVILLIAM C. It. SMITH AND JOSHUA B. MORTON, OFSAN FRANCISCO, GAL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,930, dated August 28, 1883.

Application filed March 9, 1883. (N0 model.)

To all whom/it may concern Be it known that we, WILLIAM C. B. SMITH and JOSHUA B. MORTON, citizens of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented a certain new and useful Return- Crate, of which the following is a specification.

The object of our invention is to provide a means whereby a return-crate for the transportation of fowls, fruits, 850., maybeknocked down and folded up into a small space for re turning to or from the place of shipment. "We accomplish this object by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of our crate in position for shipping. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same when folded up for return. Fig. 3 is an end View of the same, also folded up forreturn. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, showing the thumb-screws which hold the parts in position. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the crate folded; and Fig. 7 is a transverse section of the same unfolded and set up for use.

Similar letters of reference .are used to indicate like parts throughout the several views.

The base-board of our crate or coop is provided with longitudinal raised strips A A upon both sides, which are flush with the edges thereof. To these longitudinal raised strips are connected, by means of straps or hinges B B, the side frames, 0 C, of the crate, which are adapted to turn inwardly and fold downwardly, and the hinges or straps are all countersunk, so as not to project beyond the inner lines of the longitudinal strips and frame: piece.

The two end frames, D D, are connected to the base or bottom of the crate also by straps or hinges B 13, and between the side frames, which are adapted to be folded downward upon the floor of the crate in such a manner as to permit the side frames to be folded down flatwise upon the 'end frames in a compact manner, or the sides and end pieces to be set up in a vertical position and be flush all aroifnd with the baseboard of the crate.

The cover of our crate is made entire, with the exception of a hinged hole or door, E, for removing fowls, &c., of longitudinal side and end pieces, F, to correspond with the thickness of the folding portions thereof, as shown, and thumb-screws G pass through the woodwork of the cover and enter the wood-work of the side and end pieces of the crate. These screws G G and holding-plates H H, through which the bolts or screws pass, may be countersunk in the frame-pieces, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, so as to be flush within the rails of the crate, and without projection of the heads when the crate is put together or knocked down.

In practice the screw-bolts are placed in tudinal strips A A. Then the side pieces are folded down over the end pieces and the cover put on over all, when. the bolts or thumbscrews are turned down through the floor of the crate and into plates or nuts I I, con nected to the bottom thereof in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The screws G G are provided with pins or studs G G, that are inelosed in recesses formed in the cover of the crate, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and prevent the screws from becoming detached when the crate is set up for use, as shown in Fig. 1.

The various parts of the crate may be formed of any suitable material, the frames being preferably of wood, with metal connections and fastenings, and proy'ided with wire-netting.

Thus it will be seen that we'have a compact form or package for returnfreight, which re quires but little room to stow away and is easily handled.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent. is

In a return-crate, the combination of abaseboard having longitudinal raised strips A A upon both sides and flush with its edges, the

side pieces, 0 O, hinged to saidstrips, the

5 end pieces, D D, hinged to the base-board, the cover F, having a hinged door, E, and the thumb-screws G G and plates H H I I, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony that We claim the foregoing We have hereunto set our hands and seals.

W. o. B. SMITH. [LEN] JOSHUAB. MORTON. [n s] \Vitnesses O. SMITH, CHAS. E. KELLY. 

